'Doctor Who' villains the Ice Warriors to feature in series seven?

Classic Doctor Who villains the Ice Warriors could feature in series seven, according to reports.

Speculation of a new appearance by the reptilian race in Doctor Who was sparked by Matt Smith's recent appearance at Birmingham's 11th Hour convention, reports Radio Times.

Smith apparently coyly smiled but offered no comment when asked by a fan if the Ice Warriors would be re-introduced into Doctor Who for the show's 50th anniversary.

This latest development came days after an insider told the Daily Star that Mark Gatiss has penned an upcoming episode which sees the Ice Warriors menace The Doctor and his new companion (Jenna-Louise Coleman).

The Ice Warriors made their first Doctor Who appearance in 1967 and went on to become one of the Second Doctor (Patrick Troughton)'s signature enemies.

The Third Doctor (Jon Pertwee) encountered a group heroic Ice Warriors in 1972's 'The Curse of Peladon', but a breakaway faction reverted to their villainous ways in the story's 1974 sequel 'The Monster of Peladon'.